Clamp for platform pulley blocks



NOV. 12, 1946. J NEALE 2,410,836

CLAMP FOR PLATFORM PULLEY BLOCKS Eiled Oct. 7,1944

a5 8 56%? 24 r @5 2! 27 [1 Z? N I 50 7 6 mentor 46 6 47 Patented Nov. 12, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT 4 OFFICE i f 6 Claims.

This invention relates to clamps for attachment of supports and tools necessary in the splicing and repairing of overhead telephon cables and the like.

It is the present practice to attach overhead telephone cables to the supporting messenger with a wire spiraled about the cable and messenger whereby the cable is relatively closely bound thereto. With this method of supporting overhead cables, it is difficult'to suspend the platform and various tools required in preparing and splicing overhead cables without causing injury to the cable sheath and the wires contained therein,

It is, therefore, a principal purpose of the present invention to provide messenger-engaging clamps which are adapted for safe and secure anchorage on the messenger without exerting pressure on the cable and contents thereof.

Other objects of the invention are to provide clamps that are readily attached and removed from a messenger; to provide the clamps with hinged jaws for gripping the cable and having arms extending outwardly and downwardly from the messenger so that they are out of any substantial contact with the cable; and to provide the jaws with positive retention means and thereby prevent displacement thereof from the messenger gripped thereby.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention hereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an overhead cable attached to its messenger by a Wire spiraled thereabout and illustrating attachment of my improved clamps used in supporting the workmans platform, supports, and hoisting cable.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View partly. in cross section of my improved clamp and shOWlng attachment thereof to the messenger-without exerting injurious pressure to the cable supported thereby. 1

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the jaws of the clamp shown in disassembled spacedrelation.

Fig. 4 is a section through a clamp constructed in accordance with the present invention and equipped with arms. for supportin a cable splicers platform.

Referring more in detail to the drawing:

i and 2 designatea series of polescarrying a messenger wire 3 that is supportedtherefrom by theusual clamps l and-5. .6 designates, a telephone cable which includes an outer lead sheath 7 containing a plurality of insulated wires indicated at 8. The cable 5 is attached to the messenger 3 by a wire 9 that is wound spirally about the cable and messenger to bind the cabl in relatively close contact with the messenger. The structure thus fardescribed is the present accepted manner of attaching .overheadtelephone and similar cables and specifically forms no part of the present invention, but is illustrated to give a better understanding of the purpose and use of my invention as now to be described. H

In repairing and splicing such cables, it is neccessary to provide for suspension of a Workmanfs platform ifi, a hoisting cable H, and the anchorage of a, ladder IE to the messenger 5, andJI have provided clamps arranged to grip the messenger without exerting injurious .pressure on the cable. The clamps are basically of the sam constructionbut vary in'the number and shape .of the arms used in suspending the various accessories necessary tothe use and convenience of the cable repairman. Each clamp includes a pair of jaws l3 and 1410f block-like formation and having substantially flat mating faces l5 and liilwhich are retained in juxtaposed position by a hinge connection IT. The hinge connection preferably includes one or more ears 18 on the .upperportion of one of the jaws interengaged with complementary ears l9 and 2-0 on the other jaw, the jaws being suitably recessed as at 2| to accommodate the ears of the other jaw whereb-ythe pivotal axis of the hinged connection extends transversely of a plane intermediate the .facing sides of the jaws. The ears of the hinged connection are provided onthe hinged axis with registering openings 22 and 23 to accommodate a hinge pin 24 that is suitably anchored therein to connect the jaws whereby the faces l5 and it are adapted to open andclQserelativeto-a messenger 3 and which is adapted to be receiviedin transverse grooves Hand, 26 formed inthe lower marginal edges of the respectiyeifaces as clearly shown in Fig. 3. Thegrooves 25 and Ziiare. closely locked adjacent the .underfaces 'Eland 23 of the jaws so that the lips 29 and -39 provided between the grooves and the faces 27 and:2 8 are'of a size to enter the space between'the messenger and cable supported thereby without, exerting pressure on the cable. 'I'hegrooves 25 and 26 arepreferably shaped to conform to. the cross-sectional contour of the cable s0 as to avoid deformation of the ss n e Th nd e an ute face of the jaws may be suitably shaped'for theparticularuse ofthe clamp-but the upper edges arepreferably inclined as at 32 relative to the axis of the hinge connection and form stops 33 to limit opening movement of the jaws.

In order to retain the jaws in engagement with a messenger, each clamp is provided with a looking screw 35 having a shank 36 extending through an opening 31 in one of the jaws and having a threaded terminal 38 engaged in a threaded socket 39 of the other jaw as shown in Fig. 2. The screw also includes a head 40 forming a shoulder 4| with the shank 36 for stop engagement with the outer face of the jaw M, the head being provided with suitable arms 42 by which the screwmay be readily rotated to bring the jaws into engagement with the messenger as later described.

The clamp illustrated in Fig. 2 is for attaching the hoisting cable II and, therefore, the jaw 14 which carries the screw is provided with a yoke-shaped arm 43 that projects transversely with respect to the grooves 25 and 26 and terminates on the side of the grooves substantially opposed to the hinge pin 24 in a ring-shaped terminal 44, which in the present instance, is located directly below and in plane with the face [3 of the jaw to attach a tackle or pass .the hoisting cable ll therethrough as shown in Fig. l and whereby the pulling forces exerted in actuation of the cable are imparted directly to the messenger without causing pressure on the cable.

The jaws of the clamp shown in Fig. 4 are substantially the same as employed and illustrated in Fig. 2 with the exception that the looking screw is threaded within an internally threaded opening 36 of the jaw l4 correponding with the jaw previously described whereby the terminal end 38' is adapted to engage in a socket 39' in one of the ears of the other jaw to prevent opening of the jaws when the jaws are closed upon the messenger as shown in Fig. 4. In this form of clamp, each of the jaws is provided with a downwardly and outwardly extending arm 46 and 41 terminating in ring-like terminals 48 and 49 to attach ropes 50 or the like suspending the platform It! at a desired proper position below the cable 6. The platform may also be stabilized by a rope or the like lashed to the adjacent pole in any suitable manner.

The clamps illustrated in Fig. 4 are used in pairs to support the respective sides of the platform and one of the clamps may be provided with an eye 52 for attaching a rope 53 adapted to engage one of the legs of the ladder to prevent sliding of the ladder on the messenger.

In using the platform-supporting clamps constructed as described, the screws are backed out of the sockets 39 to permit spreading of the jaws to receive the messenger in the grooves 25 and 26 thereof and one of the clamps is attached to the messenger adjacent one side of the pole l and the other clamp is attached to the messenger .at the opposite side of the pole and in spaced relation therewith to suspendingly accommodate the platform l0 therebetween as shown in Fig. 1, the platform being supported by the ropes or the like from the ring-like terminals 48 and 49 of the arms so that the platform is in level position after which the platform may be stabilized by the rope 5|. If the ladder I2 is used, it may be anchored to the eye 52 of the adjacent clamp by the rope 53 so that it cannot be blown over by the wind or slide along the messenger.

Other clamps may be attached to the messenger in convenient position; for example, the clamp used in supporting the hoist cable I I. This clamp is applied in the same manner and the jaws tightened on the messenger so that the ring 44 depends directly thereunder and the pulling forces act directly thereon independently of the cable.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided clamps for attachment of a platform and tools and the like necessary in splicing and repairing cables whereby weight is carried directly on the messenger without applying pressure to the cables carried thereby.

It is also obvious that I have provided clamps which are readily applied and afford safety to the workmen.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A clamp for attachment to a cable-carrying messenger wire including a body member having a pair of jaws one of which has a transverse groove to receive the messenger wire therein, means connecting the jaws for movement of the jaws apart when placing the clamp on the messenger, a lip on said body member adapted to engage between the messenger and the cable carried thereby, means locking the jaws together when the jaws are engaged with the messenger. and means projecting from one of the jaws to suspend an object from said messenger.

2. An apparatus of the character described including a pair of clamps, each including a substantiallyrectangular-shaped body member, a pair of jaws having transverse grooves in facing sides thereof for receiving a messenger, means including mating ears carried by the upper portion of the respective jaws hinging the jaws together, a locking screw carried by one of the jaws and adapted to engage in a socket of the other jaw of the pair of jaws to prevent hinging movement of the jaws when a messenger is received in Said grooves, arms projecting from the jaws, a platform, and means on the arms for suspending the platform from said messenger.

3. A clamp for a cable-carrying messenger including a body member having a pair of jaws having tranverse grooves in facing sides thereof near the lower portion of said body member for receiving a messenger, means near the top of said body member hinging the jaws together, a locking screw carried by one of the jaws and adapted to engage in a socket of the other jaw to prevent hinging movement of the jaws when a. messenger is received in said grooves, arms projecting from opposite sides of the jaws, and ring-shaped terminals on the arms for connecting an object to be suspended from said messenger.

4. A clamp for a messenger having a cable connected therewith by a wire wound spirally about the cable and messenger including a pair of jaws having facing sides and provided with transverse grooves to receive the messenger, lips on the jaws for engagement between the messenger and the cable, means adapted to lock the jaws together when the jaws are engaged with the messenger, and means projecting from one of the jaws adapted to be connected with an object to be suspended from the messenger.

5. A clamp for a cable-carrying messenger including a substantially rectangular-shaped body member adapted to ride on top of the messenger having a pair of jaws having transverse grooves in facing sides thereof for receiving the messenger therein when the jaws are brought together, means near the top of said body connecting the jaws for moving the jaws apart when placing the clamp on the messenger, a locking screw carried by one of the jaws and adapted to movement relative to each other when placing the clamp on the messenger, means for rocking the jaws on the messenger, and means projecting from one of the jaws transversely with respect to said grooves and terminating on the side of the grooves substantially opposed .to said connecting means for supporting an object to be suspended from the messenger.

DORY J. NEALE. 

